A Carlisle United superfan was given a day she'll never forget as part of an elaborate sting operation orchestrated by Nickelodeon UK, one of the country's biggest TV channels for children, reports the News & Star!
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Emily MacDougall with players Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
Presenters and cameramen from Nickelodeon took over Brunton Park to give one youngster – nine-year-old Emily McDougall – a dream day with two of her favourite Blues players.
But meeting goal machine Jabo Ibehre and midfielder Luke Joyce was all a surprise to Emily, who is a voice of authority on the League Two club following her regular appearances on BBC Radio Cumbria to give her post-match reaction!
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Jabo Ibehre dressing up as Olga the club mascot
As a treat for the Dalston youngster's diehard support of her team, Carlisle United teamed up with the makers of Nickelodeon's brand-new football programme Nick Kicks on Thursday so she could meet the two players.
But Emily believed she'd been brought to the stadium to talk to the News & Star about her love of all things Carlisle United and have her picture taken with club mascot Olga.
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Luke Joyce gets made up
During the pitchside interview presenter Rachel Stringer jumped in and interrupted proceedings to tell unsuspecting Emily that she was being filmed for the show.
Then in a further twist, Jabo pulled off the mascot's head to reveal himself underneath with Joyce also stepping forward to show he wasn't the photographer's assistant that Emily believed he was.
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Emily MacDougall with dad Danny MacDougall
As both of their real identities were revealed Emily's face was one of shock and the usually chatty would-be pundit was stunned!
"It feels amazing," she said when asked by Rachel about the shock reveal.
When she'd composed herself she was given the chance to conduct an interview of her own with the footballing stars in the home dugout.
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Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer and player Jabo Ibehre dressed as mascot Olga
Fans can catch Emily's episode, in which the full story of how she was fooled will be uncovered, when it is broadcast later this month on Nicktoons UK & Ireland.
Benn Lapper, a researcher for the show, explained why Emily has been chosen.
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Players Jabo Ibehre dressed as mascot Olga and Luke Joyce dressed up as one of the crew with Emily MacDougall
"The club put her forward because she is a superfan and sits right in front of the commentary team in the stands. They asked her a couple of questions live on the air and she was brilliant so she does it every week before and after the match," he said.
So we thought we would surprise her by letting her meet her favourite players."
When being interviewed by the News & Star, Emily told of why United was her favourite team.
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Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer with players Jabo Ibehre and Luke Joyce
"I like Carlisle because they've got really strong players and I like Jabo Ibehre because he scores lots of goals. And I live in Carlisle too so I support my local team," she said.
And her advice on how United can improve? "They need to score more goals," she proclaimed.
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Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer with players Jabo Ibehre and Luke Joyce
Emily admitted afterwards that she was "speechless" when the seemingly innocent interview was revealed as a stunt.
Her dad Danny was in on the whole operation. He said: "She was a bit overawed by it but she will have loved it. It will have meant the world to her."
Afterwards she was presented with a Blues shirt signed by the squad.
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Presenter Rachel Stringer with Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
Jabo said: "I wasn't too sure I would even fit into the mascot suit but it was all worthwhile when we saw the look on Emily's face.
"She was stunned that this had all been done for her and we could tell that she’d really enjoyed her day.
"It's good for us as players to be able to get involved in things like and it's even better when it's a young fan.
![]()
Emily MacDougall with players Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
"The questions Emily answered show she really is a superfan and it was lovely to meet her."
Luke Joyce added: "Seeing the shock and surprise on Emily's face was brilliant.
"We've promised to point to her in the stand if we get a goal so we're looking forward to that.
"She came to watch us in training after she’d met us at the stadium and she went away with a huge smile on her face.
![]()
Emily MacDougall with Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
"That's what it's all about as far as I'm concerned."
Tune into Nick Kicks every Saturday morning at 8am on Nicktoons UK & Ireland for more Football fun!
Check out nicktoons.co.uk/nickkicks and the award-winning Nick Play app for more footie-tastic videos, behind-the-scenes content, polls, quizzes and games!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons and Nick Kicks News and Highlights!
Emily MacDougall with players Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
Presenters and cameramen from Nickelodeon took over Brunton Park to give one youngster – nine-year-old Emily McDougall – a dream day with two of her favourite Blues players.
But meeting goal machine Jabo Ibehre and midfielder Luke Joyce was all a surprise to Emily, who is a voice of authority on the League Two club following her regular appearances on BBC Radio Cumbria to give her post-match reaction!
Jabo Ibehre dressing up as Olga the club mascot
As a treat for the Dalston youngster's diehard support of her team, Carlisle United teamed up with the makers of Nickelodeon's brand-new football programme Nick Kicks on Thursday so she could meet the two players.
But Emily believed she'd been brought to the stadium to talk to the News & Star about her love of all things Carlisle United and have her picture taken with club mascot Olga.
Luke Joyce gets made up
During the pitchside interview presenter Rachel Stringer jumped in and interrupted proceedings to tell unsuspecting Emily that she was being filmed for the show.
Then in a further twist, Jabo pulled off the mascot's head to reveal himself underneath with Joyce also stepping forward to show he wasn't the photographer's assistant that Emily believed he was.
Emily MacDougall with dad Danny MacDougall
As both of their real identities were revealed Emily's face was one of shock and the usually chatty would-be pundit was stunned!
"It feels amazing," she said when asked by Rachel about the shock reveal.
When she'd composed herself she was given the chance to conduct an interview of her own with the footballing stars in the home dugout.
Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer and player Jabo Ibehre dressed as mascot Olga
Fans can catch Emily's episode, in which the full story of how she was fooled will be uncovered, when it is broadcast later this month on Nicktoons UK & Ireland.
Benn Lapper, a researcher for the show, explained why Emily has been chosen.
Players Jabo Ibehre dressed as mascot Olga and Luke Joyce dressed up as one of the crew with Emily MacDougall
"The club put her forward because she is a superfan and sits right in front of the commentary team in the stands. They asked her a couple of questions live on the air and she was brilliant so she does it every week before and after the match," he said.
So we thought we would surprise her by letting her meet her favourite players."
When being interviewed by the News & Star, Emily told of why United was her favourite team.
Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer with players Jabo Ibehre and Luke Joyce
"I like Carlisle because they've got really strong players and I like Jabo Ibehre because he scores lots of goals. And I live in Carlisle too so I support my local team," she said.
And her advice on how United can improve? "They need to score more goals," she proclaimed.
Emily MacDougall with presenter Rachel Stringer with players Jabo Ibehre and Luke Joyce
Emily admitted afterwards that she was "speechless" when the seemingly innocent interview was revealed as a stunt.
Her dad Danny was in on the whole operation. He said: "She was a bit overawed by it but she will have loved it. It will have meant the world to her."
Afterwards she was presented with a Blues shirt signed by the squad.
Presenter Rachel Stringer with Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
Jabo said: "I wasn't too sure I would even fit into the mascot suit but it was all worthwhile when we saw the look on Emily's face.
"She was stunned that this had all been done for her and we could tell that she’d really enjoyed her day.
"It's good for us as players to be able to get involved in things like and it's even better when it's a young fan.
Emily MacDougall with players Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
"The questions Emily answered show she really is a superfan and it was lovely to meet her."
Luke Joyce added: "Seeing the shock and surprise on Emily's face was brilliant.
"We've promised to point to her in the stand if we get a goal so we're looking forward to that.
"She came to watch us in training after she’d met us at the stadium and she went away with a huge smile on her face.
Emily MacDougall with Jabo Ibehre, left, and Luke Joyce
"That's what it's all about as far as I'm concerned."
Tune into Nick Kicks every Saturday morning at 8am on Nicktoons UK & Ireland for more Football fun!
Check out nicktoons.co.uk/nickkicks and the award-winning Nick Play app for more footie-tastic videos, behind-the-scenes content, polls, quizzes and games!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons and Nick Kicks News and Highlights!